Ways to Give Back During the Holidays

Quick Summary

• Simple acts of giving go further when item limits and instructions are set.

• Clear roles and needs make it easier for people to show up and help.

• Automated reminders boost participation during the busy holiday season.

• One flexible template can support most holiday service projects.

👉 Create a holiday giving sign up 
 
Did you know that nearly one-third of all annual charitable giving happens in December, with 10% happening in the final three days of the year? ¹ That means now is the perfect time to give back – whether it’s through donations, volunteering, or just helping others. 

This guide pulls together timeless ideas plus simple tools to help you organize your efforts with confidence.

Holiday Volunteer Opportunities

Serve Holiday Meals

Gather a small group and volunteer at a local soup kitchen, community center, or church hosting seasonal meals. Many organizations rely on extra support to prep food, hand out plates, and clean up after busy service days.

Support Local Shelters

Shelters need everything from warm clothing to toiletry kits during colder months. Organize a sign up to coordinate donations, sort items, or help with holiday programming.

Create Care Packages

Assemble kits with socks, snacks, hygiene products, and handwritten notes. Make it a group activity by assigning items and quantities through a sign up.

Host a Collection Drive

Collect coats, toys, books, or pantry staples for organizations serving families in need. Clear category labels and shift times make it easy for participants to drop off items.

Donation-Based Giving

Create a Donation Sign Up

Instead of guessing what an organization needs, create categories and requested amounts. This helps prevent overwhelm, duplicates, and unneeded items.

Set Up Small Recurring Gifts

Encourage your group or workplace to commit to small monthly donations to a nonprofit. Even $5–$10 per person adds up over time.

Sponsor a Family

Partner with a local nonprofit to support a family’s wishlist. Use a sign up to coordinate gift-buying and keep track of what’s been purchased.

Acts of Kindness

Neighborhood Kindness Projects

Plan a holiday kindness challenge — shovel snow for neighbors, deliver baked goods, or send cards to seniors. A simple sign up helps assign tasks.

Classroom Giving Campaigns

Teachers can organize book drives, supply collections, or a charitable classroom project. Add instructions and links so parents know exactly what to bring.

Community Events

Holiday Service Day

Coordinate volunteers for multiple service projects happening on the same day. Tabbing keeps events organized and lets participants choose a shift or activity.

Partner With a Local Nonprofit

Host a charity event like a craft fair, winter festival, or gift-wrapping fundraiser. Track volunteers, supplies, and donations all in one place.

Host a Holiday Potluck

Sitting down with family and friends is extra special during this time of year. Unfortunately, so many people don’t have the community, resources, or circumstances that afford them the same gift.  
 
This year, try organizing a holiday potluck for the less fortunate – you might be surprised by how good it feels. Studies show that participating in holiday volunteering increases feelings of happiness and community connection by over 40%.2 
 
No need to be overwhelmed! Planning a holiday giving dinner gets a lot easier when you start with a template. Our Potluck Sign Up template is flexible enough to work for almost any seasonal event — meals, service projects, or community gatherings. 
 
 
Use this layout to coordinate:

• Holiday meal service or treat exchanges 

• Community dinners or church events 

• Food donations 
   

Customize the slots to match your event, ask questions to get the details you need, and you’re ready to go! 

How SignUpGenius Makes Giving Simple

Holiday giving gets easier when everything (volunteers, donations, dates, drop-offs) lives in one organized place. With sign ups, you can map out shifts, assign roles, and even track donations as they come in. And because everyone gets automatic reminders, participation stays high even during the busiest time of year!

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

• Track donations and volunteer shifts with clear categories and quantity limits 

• Share instructions, links, and attachments so participants know exactly what to bring or where to go 

• Manage multi-day or multi-project events using tabbing and grouped sign ups 
   

With everything in one place, you can focus on the part that matters most — helping your community.

Best Practices for Holiday Giving

• Keep categories clear so participants know what’s needed 

• Use tabbing if you’re running multiple projects or events 

• Add links, instructions, or attachments like wishlists or drop-off guides 

• Plan ahead — spots fill up quickly during the holidays 

• Follow up with gratitude using automated thank-you messages 
   

Frequently Asked Questions About Holiday Planning

Q: What are some low-cost ways to give back?

A: Handwritten cards, kindness challenges, care packages with affordable essentials, and donating gently used items are all great options. You don’t need to spend much to make an impact.

Q: When should I start planning a holiday service event?

A: Start 3–6 weeks ahead. This gives volunteers time to sign up and ensures nonprofits have a clear picture of your support.

Q: Do I need a paid account to run a giving project?

A: No — you can run most holiday giving efforts with free features. Premium tools like tabbing, reporting, and advanced reminders simply make larger events even easier to manage.

Make an Impact This Holiday Season

The holidays are a chance to slow down, look around, and do something that truly matters. Whether you’re organizing a donation drive, serving meals, or planning a small act of kindness, the right tools make it easier to bring people together. With SignUpGenius, you can coordinate every detail and focus on what this season is really about — supporting your community and spreading joy.